I thought I would tell people about my experience over the years of how my bird pics have been used.I would also like to hear from other peoples experience with their photos.I just post to Flickr and in no way promote my pictures d the real pros do.But I guess with power of the internet any thing can happen.I recently got contacted by a marketing firm working for a winery in the Okanagan wanting to purchase a Calliope Hummingbird photo of mine for their website and advertising.Appropriately the winery is called Calliope Wines.They are currently using a Rufous by mistake.They ended up purchasing for a 2 year lease then in 2 years option to buy or release.I just got really lucky as it showed the throat the way they wanted and on a blue background.They also wanted to use a picture from a Canadian.Yeah!Over the years I have donated quite a few photos to non profit groups and magazines.Always in exchange for a photo credit and a free copy of the publication.Currently Swan Lake uses my photos on their website and an interactive touch screen for kids and on a new welcoming kiosk at the entrance to their nature house.All donated of course.They are non profit and do great work teaching about nature to kids.Always have a soft spot or them as it's where I first learned about birding.I have a picture on an enclosure for a Quail at a zoo in Eureka California and another on a cd about native Indians at a park in California.Also on a website for Cuban tourism of a Cuban Pewee I got there while at a wedding.One weird one was for cards for soldiers to carry in Alberta while on exercises to be able to identify threatened species.I joke with people that they wanted to check they were not around before blowing up the place.Also had 28 pics used in a bird guide book of BC by Dick Cannings.Also a pic of a warbler in a poetry book.I am not posting this to brag in anyway as I'm far from a pro bird photographer but just trying to show how the pics can contribute good causes and maybe if you get really lucky make a few bucks.Again would like to hear from others.Thanks Ted Ardley Victoria,BC

That's a really great story Ted. And it's nice when somebody spots a good picture, even though we do it for the love of birds. I bet it was unexpected and therefore it's like getting a bonus at work after you've slugged it out for years and then all of a sudden one gets recognition. Well done!

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Deon van der Heever
Maple Ridge, BC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deonvanderheever/

I think it's fun when it happens especially when it's just a hobby.I find it a really fun and challenging one.Sometimes nothing happens for months then all of a sudden get a few emails for requests.I suspect people just surf the web for a certain bird photo and then put out a bunch of emails and go with the one they like.Oh yeah also donated some to VNHS and Rocky Point websites.Thanks Ted